Wellington Naturist Club
Te Marua, Wellington, New Zealand
A social, activity-packed clothes-free campsite in a forested valley, 45 minutes from Wellington Airport.
snapshot
Wellington Naturist Club is a clothes-free campsite in Te Marua, near Upper Hutt, about 45 minutes from Wellington Airport. The 4.7 hectare property mixes camping with four rental cabins, a swimming pool, two hot tubs and a pickleball court, set along a forested creek valley. It suits travellers who want an active, sociable base with hiking and hot tub soaks built into the daily rhythm.
resort type
Mid-size Campground
dress code
Clothes-Free
budget
Mid-range
When to visit
October to April
THE DESTINATION
THE DESTINATION & where to find it
Wellington Naturist Club occupies 4.7 hectares of valley land in Te Marua, a short drive from Upper Hutt and about 45 minutes from Wellington Airport. The grounds combine open camping fields with a cluster of four rental cabins near the clubhouse.
A creek runs through the property, tracked by a walking trail that opens onto small viewing spots along the water. Higher ground behind the camp climbs to a hiking trail with valley views. The clubhouse anchors the social side of the property, with a pool, two hot tubs, a pickleball court and a petanque area clustered around it within a short walk of every pitch.
Clothes-free use covers the whole property. Nudity is expected across the grounds and required in the pool and hot tub areas, with clothing generally reserved for cooler evenings or sun protection.
THE EXPERIENCE
THE EXPERIENCE & what to expect
Wellington Naturist Club runs on a strong sense of community. Members work alongside each other so closely that visitors often struggle to tell who is on duty and who’s not, and that blurred line sets the tone. Newcomers get folded into the group quickly rather than left to find their own way.
Pool afternoons are the social centre of a stay. People drift in and out through the day, and a standing happy hour turns the poolside into the main gathering point most evenings. Fish and Chips Fridays add a fixed weekly rhythm that regulars build their visit around. Between these fixtures, a walk along the creek trail or a hike up to the valley viewpoint fills the daylight hours, with the pickleball and petanque courts nearby for anyone after something more active.
Visitors consistently mention the warmth of the Kiwi crowd here. Conversations start easily by the pool or in the clubhouse, and the club draws a mix that leans social rather than solitary.
Accommodation runs from unpowered and powered camping through to four rental cabins near the clubhouse. Camping suits visitors who want flexibility and don’t mind walking to shared toilets and showers. The cabins are more self-contained. They typically have a bed, a small sitting area and a kitchenette with a mini fridge, microwave and basic cookware, so guests can prepare simple meals without relying on the shared guest kitchen. That guest kitchen, fully equipped for cooking, is the better option for campers who want a proper meal without hauling gear. Couples or solo travellers who want privacy at the end of a social day tend to prefer a cabin, while groups happy to camp together and use the communal spaces get more value from a powered site.
WHO THIS IS FOR
WHO SHOULD GO & who should not
Great for
- ✓ Solo travellers who want to make friends quickly at the pool
- ✓ Active campers who like pickleball, hiking and petanque built into a stay
- ✓ First-timers who want a welcoming, low-pressure introduction to clothes-free spaces.
not ideal if
- ✕ You want a quiet, low-key stay, this club leans social, with the pool and clubhouse busy most evenings.
- ✕ You're relying on public transport, the two hour bus and train journey makes a car far more practical here.
- ✕ You want beach access as part of the stay, the nearest nude beach is close to the airport, not the club itself.
practical
GETTING THERE & what to know
getting there
Wellington Naturist Club is in Te Marua, about 45 minutes by car from Wellington Airport. The drive runs along State Highway 1 or 2, then onto State Highway 58 towards Upper Hutt. Parking is on site.
Public transport is possible but slow. Expect around two hours combining a train from central Wellington to Upper Hutt with a connecting bus, so most visitors choose to drive or arrange a taxi for the final stretch. A rental car makes the most sense if a stay includes side trips to Wellington’s harbour or the nearby wine region.
where to stay
Accommodation ranges from unpowered and powered camping to four on-site cabins, priced in the budget to mid-range band. Cabins include a bed, a small sitting area and a kitchenette with a mini fridge, microwave and basic cookware, a straightforward option for couples or solo travellers who want privacy. Campers share a guest kitchen and nearby toilet and shower blocks. Book directly through the club, especially for cabins, which are in shorter supply than campsites.
when to go
The pool and outdoor facilities run seasonally from October to April, when Wellington’s weather is at its most reliable for swimming and lounging outdoors. Indoor and heated amenities, including the hot tubs, keep the club usable through the cooler months too.
Weekends draw the biggest crowds. Midweek visits in the shoulder months of October and April tend to be quieter, with more room around the pool and a slower pace overall.
what to know
Wellington Naturist Club runs on a close partnership between a small paid staff and volunteer members, so don’t be surprised if the person checking you in later joins the pool afternoon as a fellow guest. Clothing is generally optional around the grounds but expected off in the pool and hot tub areas.
Fish and Chips Fridays and the daily happy hour are good ways to meet people quickly, and regulars tend to welcome newcomers into these routines without much prompting. Bring supplies for the guest kitchen if camping, since the nearest shops are a drive away in Upper Hutt.
plan your visit
Book at Wellington Naturist Club
Book directly through the club’s website, particularly for cabins, which fill up faster than campsites over summer weekends.
virtual visit
HAVE A peek inside
Sometimes a two-minute watch tells you more than a page of text. Our video visit covers the setting, the facilities, and what the atmosphere actually feels like on the ground.
keeping you busy
FACILITIES & amenities
●Pool
Outdoor pool, seasonal use from October to April.
●Hot tubs
Two tubs, one with jets and one without, usable year-round.
●Pickleball court
Shared with the petanque area, free to use for guests.
●Creek trail
Short walking trail with viewing spots, connecting to a longer hike with valley views.
beyond the resort
NEARBY VISITS
Wellington Airport45 min drive
Breaker Bay nude beachnear the airport, about 45 min from the club
Peka Peka nude beachunder 1 hour north
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FAQ
most asked questions
Is Wellington Naturist Club suitable for first-timers?
Yes. The close-knit staff and volunteer community make a point of drawing newcomers into pool afternoons and happy hours, and clothing is optional in most areas outside the pool and hot tubs, so first-timers can ease in at their own pace.
Is Wellington Naturist Club family-friendly?
Family facilities aren't a strong focus here but families are definitely welcomed and appreciated.
What is the best time of year to visit Wellington Naturist Club?
October to April, when the outdoor pool is open and Wellington's weather is at its most reliable. Weekends are the liveliest, while midweek visits in the shoulder months are quieter.
How do I get to Wellington Naturist Club from Wellington Airport?
It's about a 45 minute drive via State Highway 1 or 2 and then State Highway 58 towards Upper Hutt. Public transport takes around two hours by train and bus, so most visitors choose to drive or arrange a taxi for the final stretch.
Is nudity mandatory at Wellington Naturist Club?
Clothing is optional across most of the grounds, but nudity is expected in the pool and hot tub areas. Cooler evenings and sun protection are the usual reasons people cover up elsewhere.
What accommodation options are available at Wellington Naturist Club?
The club offers unpowered and powered camping plus four rental cabins near the clubhouse. Cabins include a kitchenette and sitting area, while campers share a fully equipped guest kitchen and nearby toilet and shower blocks.
